Читать книгу The Murder of Roger Ackroyd / Убийство Роджера Экройда онлайн

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‘And what did you say to that?’

‘I agreed with him,’ said Caroline importantly. ‘And I was able to tell him the way people were talking already about it.’

‘Caroline,’ I said sharply, ‘did you tell M. Poirot what you overheard in the wood that day?’

‘I did,’ said Caroline complacently.

I got up and began to walk about.

‘You realize what you’re doing, I hope,’ I jerked out. ‘you’re putting a halter round ralph Paton’s neck as surely as you’re sitting in that chair.’

‘Not at all,’ said Caroline, quite unruffled. ‘I was surprised you hadn’t told him.’

‘I took very good care not to,’ I said. ‘I’m fond of that boy.’

‘So am I. That’s why I say you’re talking nonsense. I don’t believe ralph did it, and so the truth can’t hurt him, and we ought to give M. Poirot all the help we can. Why, think, very likely ralph was out with that identical girl on the night of the murder, and if so, he’s got a perfect alibi.’

‘If he’s got a perfect alibi,’ I retorted, ‘why doesn’t he come forward and say so?’

‘Might get the girl into trouble,’ said Caroline sapiently. ‘But if M. Poirot gets hold of her, and puts it to her as her duty, she’ll come forward of her own accord and clear Ralph.’